Invincible (The Trident Code) (11 page)

As I continued to pleasure her with one hand and tease her nipples with the other, she moved a hand to the zipper of my pants. I felt her draw the zipper down, pop the button from its clasp and then my pants released around my hips. I groaned into her neck at the touch of her hands on my ridiculously hard cock. She expertly worked her hands over me, squeezing, teasing and milking me.

I sat up a little to pull my jeans down the rest of the way and wrapped her legs back around me. I positioned her above me, hol
ding my hands at her hips and keeping her eye locked with mine. Slowly, achingly, I eased her down inch by wet, tight inch. At the feel of me her eyes began to close and her head dropped back on a long moan of pleasure.

I hadn't had sex in so long and even it was a one-night stand before I left for deployment. I didn’t even remember her name. Jamie? Janie? But I had a feeling that a year from now, ten years from now, I would remember this moment, just as I could recall that one night on the boat. There was something about this girl, the way she focused on me, saw right through me.

I cupped her chin and urged her to look at me. "No," I stilled her hips, though the effort cost me. I wanted to see her respond to me. "Don't close your eyes. I want to watch you come this time."

With slow, measured movements I urged her hips to glide back and forth along the length of my cock. On her knees, spread for me her clit would rub at just the angle so that each slide made her moan. She took over the pace surging back and forth over me with an urgency that stole my breath.

I lifted myself higher on my knees and draped her over my arms so that my angle was deeper. The change drug my cock across a spot inside her that made her grasp at my shirt and her gasp with each thrust.

"
Ohmygod," she moaned.

"Does that feel good, baby?" I nibbled and sucked the curve of her neck. "Are you
gonna come for me?"

She squirmed, tightening her arms and legs around me, pres
sing so close that our movements were strangled and frantic. My thrusts quickened in response and there was something about the restricted space, the urgency that drove her wild. Her breathing was labored and harsh as she shuddered around me, pressing into me until I couldn't tell where she ended and I began. Her face was pressed to my chest as her pussy clamped around me.

I held her tight to me as her release began to calm. She took my face into her hands and kissed me. It was tender and sweet, like she
was giving me a part of herself. She moved around me, quick little jerks of her hips that sent shocks all over my body. I lost myself in the wet glide of her pussy and came with a long groan that was stifled by the press of her mouth.

I settled back on the blanket, her dress surrounding us as sweat cooled on our skin. As the orgasm retreated the fear that I was ge
tting in too deep with this girl niggled in the back of my mind. She was the first person I'd ever connected to on such a level, and it wasn't just the sex amazing. I was beginning to worry that no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise she wasn't just a fling.

I showed her my office
in the SEAL base. She seemed impressed and asked a ton of questions about my job. I liked that she seemed to really care about my career, more so than the typical girl. Most frog hogs saw us as nothing more than a notch on their bedposts, a real life action hero from one of those crappy romance novels. The SEALs in those books had little resemblance to real TEAM guys. First off, most SEALs never ever told people what we did for a living. I would’ve never told Annie that I was a SEAL, but I needed to make her understand that I was capable of saving her. I always told everyone I met that I drove an ice cream truck. Another thing, we never gave details about our missions to civilians, whether we were fucking them or not. And we sure as hell didn’t leave our careers to chase women across the world. Most of the authors who wrote this crap had never even met a SEAL, let alone been fucked by one.

“I have to call home. They’ll worry.”

“Why would they worry? You’re with me. I saved you.”

“After what happened, they freak if I stay too long at yoga.” She picked up her cell phone and dialed.

“Hi Dad.”

“It was fun. I’m going to stay with Pat tonight.”

She shifted her phone to her right ear, probably so I couldn’t hear her dad tell her what a piece of shit I was.

“Whatever, Dad. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She ended the call and looked out the window.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

I knew her dad must’ve given her a hard time. “What did he say?”

“That you were just a typical SEAL that was going to leave me and cheat on me. ‘Remember where you met him, Annie. That’s not the kind of man you want to get involved with.’ Whatever, I don’t care. They’ll get over it. They can’t really pretend to try to protect me from anything. I’ve already survived the worst life imaginable.” 

We drove back to my place mostly in silence. I lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Pacific Beach. It had a small courtyard for Trigger and was close to the all the shops and restaurants.

I had two motives for having Annie at my place. A, I wanted to fuck her brains out again. B, I wanted to figure out whether or not I was off base about her parents.

I opened the door, and leashed up Trigger for a quick walk. “You want to come with me?”

“Nah. Can I take a shower?”

I wanted to take a shower with her, see the beads of water gli
sten off her body. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Trigger was grateful to see me. Some would say it was stupid to get a dog when I was deployed so much. But Trigger was my family. His loyalty was boundless.

We entered the courtyard and Trigger sniffed a tree. I took my phone out and saw I’d had a missed call from Kyle. I called him back and he picked up on the first ring.

“I texted Dave already about Annie and he texted me back.” I heard a girl’s voice in the background. No matter what one of us was doing, day or night, we would always pick up any call from each other. “He said he had some information.”

That was fast. “Did he say what?”

“No. But he told me to call him tomorrow. So let’s meet up.”

Trigger had done his business and was now flirting with a pug. “Sounds good. Later.”

“Bye.”

I took Trigger back into the apartment, hoping maybe Annie would meet me at the door naked. But she was sitting on my bedspread, wrapped in a towel, texting on her phone.

I unleashed Trigger. “Who you texting?”

“Oh. No one. I mean, it’s nothing. Chris just asked where I was because he’d stopped by my parents’ house and they’d said I’d left.”

“He just stops by your house whenever he feels like it?” I clenched my teeth. “Are you fucking kidding me, Annie? Are you still seeing him?”

“No, Pat. Of course not. But we’re still friends. He went through a lot you know, being a suspect, everyone treating him like a murderer. And, I mean, he cares about me.”

“Sure, he does. And he’ll comfort you when I deploy, too. Have you slept with him since you’ve been home?”

“Oh my God. No! Pat, you’re crazy. We grew up together, our families know each other. He was so distraught when I went missing. It was hard on him too.”

“I bet. Don’t play me, Annie. This can end now if you’re going to fuck around on me. I don’t need this bullshit, your dad bribing me, worrying about you when I’m in the field—”

“Bribe you? He just tried to give you the reward. Which you should take. You deserve it. You can buy a condo with it.”

Figures, I knew my lifestyle would never be enough to satisfy this fucking princess. “I’m sure Chris has a great condo. Maybe even a beachfront house. Go live with him if you don’t like my crappy apartment.”

Her towel dropped and I could see her full breasts. Great distraction technique.

“Pat, relax. That’s not what I meant.” She wrapped her naked legs around me. “I know your ex cheated on you. I’m not her. I would never do that to you. But I’m not sorry I texted Chris. He has a girlfriend. There is nothing going on between us. Nothing. I’m only interested in you. I swear.”

This was a mistake. Going to her house, sleeping with her, inviting her back to my place. Even under the best of circumstances, it was hard to have a successful relationship with a Team guy. We had so much working against us. Her family, her past, my job. And I hated to admit it, but it was hard for me to deal with the fact that she had been a prostitute. I didn’t blame her for it, nor think less of her. Nothing like that. I understand that she had been forced. But at night, the images of all of those other man, random faceless men, filled my head, like a never-ending movie loop.

I unwrapped her legs. “I don’t know if I can do this. We’re too different.”

“Get over yourself for a minute and think of me for a second.”

“I am—”

“No, you’re thinking of how I fit into your life. Think of ME. What I want. What I need.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to take a shower and then crash.”

She nodded and I went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. SEALs hated cold showers, reminded us of freezing our balls off in the ocean during BUD/S.

I was trying to push her away. I knew that. I couldn’t risk le
tting her in and having her betray me also. But I’d already let her in.

I dried off and went back into the bedroom. Annie was lying under the covers, reading a book she must’ve grabbed from my nightstand. I needed to give her, us, a chance.

“Sorry. I trust you. I just don’t trust him, or any guy for that matter. If he’s your friend, I need to meet him.”

Her voice became quiet. “Why?”

“Because I need to look him in the eyes. It’s important to me.”

“Fine. I’ll ask him.”

“Monday. Lunch at noon.”

Her fingers moved across her phone. She smiled when she r
eceived a reply. Pissed me off. I wanted to be the only one to make her smile.

“He says okay.”

Yeah I’ll bet. Fucking ‘Jody.’ He’ll be happy to shake my hand tomorrow and fuck my girl when I’m gone.

I wanted to believe her words, the promises she made with her naked body. But I didn’t. What if she relapsed on heroin when I was gone? It’s not easy going three weeks without any commun
ication.               And if we were deep undercover, that’s exactly what would happen. And I’m sure Chris would be waiting with open arms to take care of her.

Annie slept in late on
Sunday but I couldn’t rest. I snuck out to the farmer’s market to get food, and came back and made her breakfast in bed. I wasn’t much of a chef, more of a short order cook: scrambled eggs, bacon, toast. I liked taking care of her.

In the afternoon, I took her shopping. I hated malls but it beat returning to her parents home and dealing with her dad. We spent most of the day having sex, watching movies, and playing with Trigger. I usually spent my days off hanging out with Vic and Kyle. I missed those motherfuckers.

I woke Annie early on Monday, told her I had to do something quick at work and that I’d be back in an hour or so. She just gave me a kiss and fell back asleep. Trigger would keep her safe.

I cruised over to Kyle’s place. At least he had invested some of his NFL money. He had a sick townhouse overlooking the beach.

I rang the doorbell and a blonde girl opened the door wearing nothing but one of Kyle’s jerseys and purple panties.

The girl didn’t say anything, just turned and walked into the kitchen. I followed, couldn’t help staring at her fine ass. Had I never met Annie, I’d probably be hooking up with a different girl every night since I’d been home. Kyle and I would be living it up, maybe even hit the Playboy mansion. We always got invited cou
rtesy of this Hollywood director that loved us. We’d trained his actors for one of the many action movies about the Bin Laden raid.

Kyle was sitting at his breakfast bar, reading the paper. He wore only pajama bottoms.

The girl went into the kitchen. “Want some breakfast?” She cracked an egg into a bowl.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“My bad. Pat, this is Sara. Let her cook you breakfast.”

“Sure.” Every girl Kyle hooked up with tried to audition to be his wife. He wasn’t like me; he believed in love and wanted to get married. But he still hadn’t found what he was looking for.

Sara smiled, put some butter in the skillet. “So are you a former football player, also?”

I glared at Kyle, not knowing if he had even told this chick that he was a SEAL. I doubted it. Kyle usually told people he retired from the NFL.

“Nah, honey. Pat here’s my personal trainer. Actually, we need to discuss my plans for the upcoming season in my office. Can you just bring us our omelets when you’re done?”

“Sure, babe.”

Kyle stood up and kissed her, his right hand cupping her ass. I followed him into his office.

“Upcoming season? She thinks you still play ball?”

“I told her that I used to play ball, might try out again.”

“Really? That’s news to me. You’re kind of locked into a mil
itary contract.”

“True that. But who knows, I could write a book about one of our missions and get kicked out.”

I laughed. Five years ago, most SEALs wanted to remain anonymous. After Bin Laden, every SEAL had a book deal, wanted to become an actor, or ran a Cross Fit. It was fucking ridiculous.

“When’d you meet her?”

“Last night. At Pacific Beach Bar & Grill. She’s a preschool teacher. I dig her. She could be the one.”

“That’s what you say every time.”

Sara entered the room, carrying a tray with our food and two coffees. I thanked her. It was nice being taken care of for a change.

“Could you close the door?”

“Yup. Don’t be too long.” She licked her lips. “I’ll be upstairs, waiting. Nice to meet you, Pat.”

“You too.”

The door shut. I took a bite of my omelet: cheese, ham. Simple, but good.

“So how’s Annie?”

“Good. She’s back at my place now.”

Kyle’s mouth widened into a smile.
“I knew it.”  

“Yeah, well, I caught her texting Chris. She says she’s not screwing him but who knows?”

“Man, that Marissa chick screwed you up. Women can have male friends and not fuck them. It is possible. Just give Annie a chance. She’s crazy about you, dude. And she’s a good girl. Fine, strong, sweet. Not many women could survive what she did.”

Kyle always seemed to be right. But I didn’t come here to di
scuss my relationship problems. “Have you heard back from Dave?”

“Yup. He’s waiting for our call. Going to conference him now.”

Kyle dialed his number, and Dave’s face popped up on Kyle’s computer screen. Gotta love modern technology.

“Hi, guys. So you boys used my boat for a little rescue mi
ssion? I knew you were up to something. Wish I could’ve tagged along. I missed all the action.”

Kyle spoke. “Sorry, Dave. We didn’t even know where she was. But you’re in the loop now. What’s up?”

“Everyone in Curaçao knew that Annie was taken. I looked for her myself when she first went missing, but I guess they had her hidden out in Aruba.”

I nodded. “Yup. That’s what she told me.”

“I’d heard of sightings of her, but nothing panned out. And, of course, an old bastard like me can’t really go undercover in a brothel. Not to mention all the locals know that I’m a former SEAL so I’d be the last one they’d tell.”

“Understood,” Kyle said. 

“Well, almost exactly two years after she went missing, some contractors came around the island and asked about Annie. Flashing her picture everywhere.”

“We know this—that fake SEAL. He had people with him?”

“No, Pat. Not him. That con man never even looked for her. I have my doubts he even exists.”

I was confused. “I’m not following you.”

“These men that came looking for her were former Team guys. I could tell a mile away. Just like you guys. They were very thorough and professional. They must’ve hit every brothel here and in Aruba. Yet there has never been any mention of them by Annie’s family or the FBI.”

My mind raced. “So you think these guys were paid by her family but didn’t find her?”

Dave’s head shook. “No. I think they found her—and left her here.”

What the fuck was he saying? “That makes no fucking sense.”

“Hear me out. You found her by accident. I tried but was unable to because of my age and my reputation around these parts. These men worked for someone. Not the government. The FBI and CIA don’t send teams to rescue kidnapped Americans unless they’re one hundred percent certain that the hostages are in fact taken and not missing on their own accord. Like SEALs rescued Captain Phillips from the Somali Pirates, because it was confirmed that he was a hostage. Or the two missionaries who were kidnapped and saved. But Annie was different; she vanished. There was never any ransom notes, no one saw her get taken, her boyfriend was suspected of killing her or it was a possible suicide. Someone hired these guys, whoever they were, to find Annie. And I bet that they found her. They just decided not to bring her home.”

Jesus! It made sense. There was no way with all the money her parents had that they hadn’t found legit security contractors to l
ocate her. Which group did they hire? Did they find her? If so, why didn’t they bring her home?

Kyle took over the conversation. “What did the guys look like?”

“Looked like recently retired SEALs. Older, mid to late thirties. Clean cut, no tattoos, built. One of them was a ginger.”

“No brothers?”

Dave and I both laughed at Kyle. We knew what he meant. Despite the diversity on the SEAL recruiting posters, the teams were eighty-five percent white like me. Vic and Kyle had both been recruited as part of an operational diversity program.

“Nope. Wish it were that easy. I hope this helps.”

“Thanks, Dave, I really appreciate it. Next time we’re in town, I’ll buy you a beer.”

“Any time. Let me know if you need anything.”

I stared at the empty screen, my mind totally blown. Finally, Kyle broke my trance, “Has Annie mentioned any other Americans she, uhm, ‘met’ over there?”

“Nope. She doesn’t talk about it.”

“Well, I’ll call Vic and we can start digging through older Team guys—see who’s in contracting, any redheads. But you need to talk to your girlfriend, make sure we’re on to something.”

“I doubt she’ll talk, I’ll try. Thanks, man.”

“Any time. I need to take care of some business upstairs and then I’ll get right on it.”

I gave him a high five. “I get it. I’ll let myself out.”

I walked out of the house, but instead of getting back into my truck, I headed to the ocean. I needed to clear my head.

My gut clenched. I had to interrogate Annie about her Johns without her getting suspicious.

“In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.”